Hundreds of Teesside residents have been told they will lose their homes after it was announced five high-rise tower blocks will be demolished.

Jupiter Court in Middlesbrough ’s Pallister Park , Brambles Farm high-rises Milford House and Portland House and Thornaby town centre flats Anson House and Hudson House will all be razed.

Owner Thirteen says the tower blocks currently meet all “relevant building and fire safety regulations” but the cost of maintaining the buildings to meet its standards are “unsustainable” in the long-term.

Chiefs says the “shock” decision is not linked to the Grenfell Tower tragedy - and comes after an “extensive” review of 18 high-rise buildings as part of the housing group’s strategic plan, which was scheduled before last June’s devastating fire.

Residents in 346 flats will be forced to move out of their homes and relocated over the next 18 to 24 months.

Householders at Anson House said on Wednesday they had been “kept in the dark” over the building’s future but rumours had been circulating in the last few weeks; and no new tenants had moved into the building since January.

The Thornaby high-rise was also at the centre of a tragic incident in April last year when former carer Teresa Bolam, 58, died in a blaze at her home.

In January, Thirteen carried out surveys and tests at both of the 11-storey Thornaby flats after concerns surrounding a potential gas leak were raised.

Residents were told about the decision to knock down the five tower blocks during personal visits by Thirteen’s specialist relocation officers throughout Wednesday and letters were also posted through doors.

The bill to tear down the properties and build 100 “new high-quality homes” in their place will run into many millions - including more than £2m in “home loss” compensation and disturbance costs for residents.

Each household will receive £6,100 in “home loss compensation” and they could also be eligible for further pay-outs to cover disturbance costs, post redirection, removal costs and disconnection and reconnection of appliances, phones and broadband.

Another householder said they felt “sad” about the move but the compensation would help “ease the pain”.

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Thirteen, which is Teesside’s biggest landlord, has admitted the decision would be a “shock” to residents but said it had “not been taken lightly”.

They have warned future maintenance could lead to increased service charges for tenants if no action is taken.

Each resident will be “helped throughout the entire process” by a specialist relocation coordinator, bosses have said.

Meanwhile Middlesbrough Labour MP Andy McDonald said his major concern was that the work was done in consultation with residents.

“My hope is that the housing provided to residents will be better quality accommodation than that in which they currently live,” he added.

Ian Wardle, chief executive of Thirteen, added: “This news for residents will come as a shock to those living in these flats and we can assure them that it is not a decision that has been taken lightly.

“We will work with every resident individually to discuss their needs, where they want to move to and the financial compensation and practical help available to them.